MONROVIA: “I’ll take a stand; I’ll raise my voice not to cause harm but to uphold what is right.” These were the words of former Chairman of the Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC), Mulbah K. Morlu when he launched a new Grassroots Civil Society Organization Committed to Ending Impunity in Liberia, Solidarity & Trust for a New Day (STAND), on the occasion of the launch of the Movement.
Amid the brazen and deliberate provocation by the main instigators of Liberia’s upheaval, who continue to exert political and economic sway while their victims suffer, the Chairman of the newly organized movement urge all Liberians to stand up and dismantle the cycle of impunity, stating that those driven by selfishness and greed, who ignited the flames of destruction but lack the ability to rebuild the nation, must not escape legal consequences.
Mr. Morlu, who was delivering his maiden speech at the occasion of the launch of his movement at the Unification Park at the PHP across the Barclay Training Center, says the establishment of The Movement-STAND is in response to growing social movements advocating for collective change, draws inspiration from recent legislation passed by the Honorable National Legislature, which authorizes the establishment of a war and economic crimes court for Liberia.
While applauding this significant step forward, Morlu noted that The Movement-STAND, calls upon the Liberian Senate to act in the best interest of the nation by aligning with the House of Representatives in establishing a war crimes court to prosecute senior perpetrators of egregious crimes.
“It is evident that any unforeseen delays in the Honorable Senate’s thoughtful decisions regarding concurrence may cast doubt on the integrity of this esteemed institution, implying that it may be shielding war criminals who rightfully should face imprisonment as a result of due judicial process,” he noted. .
Speaking further, Chairman Morlu said attendants of the launching of The Movement –STAND gathered at a historic scene, ‘Unification Park’, to witness the occasion heralding The Movement Solidarity & Trust for a New Day, known as STAND, which he said signifies the beginning of a profound era.
The significance of this occasion, he said, is profoundly intertwined with the tragic history of these sandy shores, where senior members of the deposed William R. Tolbert regime were apprehended, restrained, and mercilessly executed under the orders of master sergeant, Samuel K. Doe.
“Forty years on, the sands of this exact beach, where their lives were extinguished, remain stained, unmoved by the ceaseless waves of the sea. In a harrowing echo of that tragedy, albeit on a larger scale, the architect behind the slaughter of 13 Liberians, Mr. Samuel K. Doe, met a similar end, tragically captured, tortured, and brutally murdered by the infamous warlord Prince Y. Johnson,” Morlu narrated.
He said following the murder and decapitation of Mr. Doe and numerous of his associates, the violence persisted, plunging once-peaceful Liberia into a state of terror, death, destruction, and unimaginable chaos.
He noted that Liberia’s moral fabric suffered a profound alteration unlike any other West African country, with systematic rape of its daughters, exploitation and forced conscription of its youth into merciless killing, and the destruction of billions of dollars’ worth of valuable infrastructure.
“In the pursuit of Truth, Reconciliation, and JUSTICE, the TRC process was initiated, executed, and concluded, yielding significant recommendations,” Mr. Morlu continued, stating that while some pillars of these recommendations were acted upon, the imperative quest for JUSTICE through the establishment of a hybrid war crimes court to prosecute senior perpetrators of atrocities remains unfulfilled.
In contrast to the deceptive strategies and misleading suggestions of certain warlords evading justice, the Liberian politician making an entry into civil society arena asserted that international humanitarian law unambiguously declares that while minor offenses may be forgiven in the pursuit of reconciliation and healing, grave crimes such as war crimes, crimes against humanity, and breaches of international humanitarian law cannot be pardoned or forgiven.
Resultantly, he said, 44 years after the murder of 13 Liberians who were unlawfully executed without due process, and 21 years after the cessation of a brutal civil conflict that sadly claimed the lives of 250,000 innocent citizens, The Movement-STAND has emerged as the collective conscience of Liberia’s vital civil society, committed to taking a decisive stance against impunity. We pledge to advocate for closure through justice, addressing the brutality and disgrace inflicted upon our people.
The Movement STAND, in response to growing social movements advocating for collective change, draws inspiration from recent legislation passed by the Honorable National Legislature, which authorizes the establishment of a war and economic crimes court for Liberia.
While applauding this significant step forward as evident by the passing of the Resolution for the establishment of the War Crime Court, The Movement-STAND calls upon the Liberian Senate to act in the best interest of the nation by aligning with the House of Representatives in establishing a war crimes court to prosecute senior perpetrators of egregious crimes.
The Chairman of The Movement-STAND indicated it is evident that any unforeseen delays in the Honorable Senate’s thoughtful decisions regarding concurrence may cast doubt on the integrity of this esteemed institution, implying that it may be shielding war criminals who rightfully should face imprisonment as a result of due judicial process.
The leadership of STAND further expressed heartfelt gratitude to the United States government and members of the international community for their invaluable support directed at the establishment of a war and economic crimes court in Liberia, and views the support of the US and its allies as an essential factor in the pursuit of justice for Liberian war victims.
Regarding President Boakai’s recent executive order establishing the ‘Office of Assets Recovery and Task Force,’ The Movement-STAND wholeheartedly embraces this initiative. STAND regards asset recovery as a crucial measure for ensuring accountability and stresses the importance of maintaining its integrity without deviation due to unprofessional conduct or unfair targeting.
STAND Supports Assets Recovery
Morlu embraced the Assets Recovery policy of the Boakai-led Government, said STAND also welcomes Mr. Boakai’s call for audits of governing institutions as a necessary moral stride toward preserving governmental integrity and combating corruption.
“Therefore, we call upon all Liberians to rally behind these integrity measures and anticipate President Boakai’s commitment to holding all public servants accountable, regardless of political affiliation or ethnicity,” he said urging President Boakai to ensure that this endeavor is executed with professionalism and impartiality, devoid of any hint of witch-hunting or political bias.
As a civil society organization centered on the welfare of the people, deeply committed to upholding the rights of every Liberian regardless of tribe, status, religion, or location, The Movement-STAND condemns in the strongest terms the appalling reports of police brutality, which has emerged under the Boakai-led government in Kinjor, Grand Cape Mount County.
“These reports allege the senseless loss of life and numerous injuries among citizens who were simply exercising their fundamental right to assemble and protest. It is alarming that the very institution entrusted with safeguarding lives has resorted to excessive force,” he stressed.
STAND accentuated that it is deploying a fact-finding team to Kinjor, labeled a ‘crime scene,’ to scrutinize these egregious acts while categorically condemning the indiscriminate killing of innocent Liberians and retain the prerogative to pursue additional measures against the Boakai-led administration pending the findings of our investigation into the police’s excessive use of force.
STAND to Protest if…
Additionally, the Movement-STAND urges President Boakai to reject partisan influences that seem to be guiding decisions leading to the violation of tenure positions. The group said the President’s appointments of individuals to roles clearly designated as ‘Tenure’ blatantly disregard the law. Without a reversal of these actions, there is a risk of inciting swift public disobedience, he threatened.
Accordingly, Chairman Morlu said if such violations continue, including instances of reprehensible police brutality against peaceful citizens, The Movement-STAND will mobilize decisive public action, rallying Liberians to engage in peaceful yet resolute mass civil disobedience aimed at safeguarding the integrity of governance and preserving our democracy.
Continuing on this path will only invite further public disobedience, a stance that STAND is prepared to champion against any form of police brutality and injustice.
The Movement STAND among other things said it will continue to serve as the embodiment of the collective conscience of Liberia’s critical grassroots sector, representing the marginalized population that remains excluded from the fair distribution of the nation’s wealth.
“This creates a disadvantaged majority harboring significant grievances,” he said, noting that it is the sons and daughters of these disenfranchised individuals, whether living or deceased, who have chosen to champion the struggle of this Movement.
“Their efforts will lead to the transformation of our nation-state through civil society advocacy, establishing it as a stronghold of freedom and economic prosperity for all,” Morlu asserted, and stated that The Movement STAND does not come to sympathize with ‘Business as Usual,’ but rather to disrupt the Status Quo by standing up for the vulnerable, the needy, and the voiceless!
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